Exodus 15:20-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 15:1-21

Having read how that complete victory of Israel over the Egyptians was obtained, here we are told how it was celebrated; those that were to hold their peace while the deliverance was in working (Exod. 14:14) must not hold their peace now that it was wrought; the less they had to do then the more they had to do now. If God accomplishes deliverance by his own immediate power, it redounds so much the more to his glory. Moses, no doubt by divine inspiration, indited this song, and delivered it to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 15:20

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron ,.... The same, it is highly probable, that is called the sister of Moses, Exodus 2:3 , her name Miriam is the same as Mary with us, and signifies bitterness; and, as the Hebrews F24 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 3. p. 9. Dibre Hayamim, fol. 2. 2. observe, had it from the bitterness of the times, and the afflictions the Israelites endured and groaned under when she was born; which is a much more probable signification and reason of her name than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 15:21

And Miriam answered them ,.... The men, for the word is masculine; that is, repeated, and sung the same song word for word after them, as they had done, of which a specimen is given by reciting the first clause of the song: sing ye to the Lord ; which is by way of exhortation to the women to sing with her, as Moses begins the song thus: "I will sing unto the Lord": for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea ; See Gill on Exodus 15:1 , the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 15:20

And Miriam the prophetess - We have already seen that Miriam was older than either Moses or Aaron: for when Moses was exposed on the Nile, she was a young girl capable of managing the stratagem used for the preservation of his life; and then Aaron was only three years and three months old, for he was fourscore and three years old when Moses was but fourscore, (see Exodus 7:7 ;); so that Aaron was older than Moses, and Miriam considerably older than either, not less probably than nine or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 15:20

Verse 20 20.And Miriam the prophetess. Moses here introduces in his song the ἀντιστροφὴ, such as were constantly used by the lyric poets. For God would have not only men to be the proclaimers of this great miracle, but associated the women with them. When, therefore, the men had finished their song, the women followed in order. Although it is not certain whether the first verse was intercalary, (as the sacred history testifies the following sentence to have been in a solemn hymn: — “For his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:1-21

1 . Exodus 15:2-5 , "The Lord is my strength," to "They sank into the bottom as a stone." 2 . Exodus 15:6-10 ," Thy right hand, O Lord," to "They sank like lead in the mighty waters." 3 . Exodus 15:11-12 , "Who is like unto Thee, O Lord," to "The earth swallowed them." The first verse stands separate from the whole, as an introduction, and at the same time as the refrain. Moses and a chorus of men commenced their chant with it, and probably proceeded to the end of ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:1-21

The song of Moses and of the Lamb. We cannot fail to connect in our thoughts the circumstances of this magnificent triumph-celebration with that other scene, described in the Apocalypse, where they who have "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over the number of his name, stand on— i.e; on the margin of—the sea of glass, having the harps of God," and "sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb" ( Revelation 15:2 ). We do not enter into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:1-21

Song of Moses and the Lamb. "And they sing the song of Moses," etc. ( Revelation 15:3 ). It is quite impossible to sever in thought the song by the sea, and the reference in the Book of the Revelation. We therefore take for our text the words chosen, and in our homily keep ever in view—the passage of the sea. I. THE SINGERS . "They that have gotten the victory." But conquerors must first have been soldiers. Here they are Christians who have become part of the Church militant by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:1-21

One of the first songs in the Bible— the first Jewish song—we may almost call it the tap-root whence springs the main stem of Jewish psalmody. The art of poetry and instruments of music were no doubt brought from Egypt; the land of slavery was yet the land of science. Such "spoils" were made all the more valuable, and appropriated all the more firmly by consecration (cf. Keble, Christian Year, 3rd Sunday in Lent). All the wealth of the world is at the disposal of God's children—for the earth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 15:3-21

The results of deliverance to God's people. I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MARVELLOUSNESS OF GOD 'S POWER (3-12). 1 . The might of Egypt, when measured with the strength of God, was utter vanity (4, 5). The Lord's right hand had dashed in pieces the enemy. What can make the heart afraid which knows the power of God? 2 . The deadly malice of Egypt was extinguished in a moment like a spark beneath the heel. The picture of the foe's deadly purpose II. CONFIDENCE FOE ... read more

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